After nearly 10 years as an Airbnb host, I thought I’d seen every trick in the book. I’ve optimized listings, fine-tuned pricing, and hosted hundreds of guests. What I hadn’t done until recently was travel like a host. This January, for my birthday, my husband and I stayed three nights in a stunning ski-town A-frame cabin in Glacier, Washington, and paid just $370 total. No nightly rate. Just the cleaning fee. The reason? A platform called Hostshare, which I somehow only discovered last August… and immediately wondered where it had been all my hosting life.
What Is Hostshare (and Why Hosts Love It)
Hostshare is a members-only home exchange network designed specifically for short-term rental hosts. Instead of paying nightly rates, hosts stay in each other’s properties by covering the cleaning fee… and that’s it.
The catch (and the magic) is that everyone involved is also a host. Which means:
- Homes are well cared for
- Expectations are clear
- Communication is easy
- There’s mutual respect for the property
It’s not a random swap and it’s not a free-for-all. It’s a professional, trust-based exchange system built for people who already understand what it means to host.
Our Glacier, WA Stay: The Details
For my January birthday trip, we booked a 3-bedroom A-frame cabin in Glacier, WA, a charming ski town near Mount Baker.
Here’s what made it special:
- Three full bedrooms with plenty of space to spread out
- Located in a beautiful, river-front HOA neighborhood, perfect for long dog walks
- Private hot tub, which was incredible on snowy evenings
- Quiet, peaceful, and tucked into nature
- Dog-friendly (a must for us)
The home felt thoughtfully designed, comfortable, and lived-in in the best way… the kind of place you instantly relax into.
And because we were staying through Hostshare, we paid only the cleaning fee: $370 total for 3 nights.
The Real Savings Breakdown
Let’s talk numbers, because this is where it really clicks.
Comparable homes in Glacier during ski season were averaging:
- $400–$500 per night
- Plus cleaning fees
- Plus taxes and platform fees
For a similar 3-night stay, we would have paid approximately $1,778.
Instead, we paid:
- $370 total
Total savings: $1,408
That’s not a coupon. That’s not a one-off promo. That’s the result of a system designed for hosts helping hosts.
Why This Worked So Well (Especially as Hosts)
One thing that stood out immediately was how smooth everything felt. As hosts ourselves, we understood:
- House rules
- Quiet hours
- Care for amenities like hot tubs
- What “leave it how you found it” actually means
There was no awkwardness, no excessive instructions, and no anxiety about how the home would be treated. The trust is built into the platform because everyone has skin in the game.
Honestly, it felt like staying at a friend’s beautifully kept second home, except it was private, professional, and seamless.
Why I Wish I’d Found Hostshare Years Ago
I’ve been hosting for nearly a decade. I travel regularly. And somehow, Hostshare wasn’t on my radar until August of last year (check out how our experience went booking our first Hostshare stay in Moses Lake, WA!)
That’s wild to me now.
For hosts who:
- Travel a few times a year
- Want nicer accommodations without hotel pricing
- Prefer homes over hotels
- Travel with pets
- Appreciate thoughtful design and privacy
Hostshare isn’t just a nice perk, it’s a game changer.
Who Hostshare Is Perfect For
Hostshare is ideal if you:
- Own or manage a short-term rental
- Maintain your property well
- Travel at least once a year
- Want to reduce travel costs without sacrificing quality
It’s especially valuable for:
- Hosts who take off-season trips
- Couples and families
- Remote workers who want longer stays
- Pet owners tired of limited hotel options
What You Should Know Before Joining
A few honest notes:
- You do need to be an active host
- Not all properties are available for advanced booking. Some are only bookable within a 5 day window
- Homes aren’t always instantly available in every market
- Planning ahead helps
- Popular destinations book quickly
That said, the quality of stays and the savings far outweigh the minor planning involved.
My Recommendation (and a Gift for Hosts)
If you’re an Airbnb host and you’re even considering traveling this year, I genuinely recommend checking out Hostshare.
Use my referral link to get 50% off your annual Hostshare membership:
https://www.hostshare.co/host/join?referral=katiep3
I don’t say this lightly: this platform paid for itself in one trip. Everything after that is pure upside.
Final Thoughts
This birthday trip reminded me why I love short-term rentals: not just as a host, but as a traveler. Beautiful homes, thoughtful design, space to relax, and experiences that hotels simply can’t replicate. And for me, a change of pace and new environment for even just a couple of nights every few months feels renewing.
If you’re already putting in the work to be a great host, Hostshare lets you enjoy the benefits on the other side, without paying retail prices.
And yes… I already have my next Hostshare stay bookmarked at an amazing river-front house in Monroe, WA.
